OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kauai County Council Meeting – February 12, 2025

County Council & Committees — Wednesday, February 12, 2025
BodyKauai County, Hawaii
SessionCounty Council & Committees
DateWednesday, February 12, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:08

Okay, good morning.

0:09

Um first up we have Kumu Troy Lazaro with our words of wisdom.

0:22

Aloha.

0:23

Aloha.

0:24

Before I begin, I just would like to just say mahaloe for inviting me here to share my aloha with all of you.

0:32

And I offer this time together to just bring a sense of peace and aloha.

0:39

And to do so, I would like to share an Oli before I offer my kule.

0:44

And this oli represents the West End of Kauai where I grew up.

0:51

And it honors the last ruling Alii of Kauai, Kaw Mwalii, who was so distinguished and so such an incredible leader.

1:02

He was loved by the Lehu Lehu.

1:04

He was loved by the people.

1:06

The people worked very hard for him.

1:08

And the stewardship that was given to the Kamaina of Kauai was taken very seriously.

1:14

He was a man of peace and aloha, as we all know.

1:18

When Kamehameha Nui journeyed to Kauai to conquer Kawaii by force, he was stopped three times.

1:24

First by storms.

1:27

Second, he was stopped by illnesses that reeked over Hawaii.

1:33

So he decided to send over a messenger to Kawaii to fetch Kalmualii to have a peaceful conversation.

1:42

And so this Oli, I hope, can revoke the beautiful essence and the energy of our kupuna.

1:48

Because we are descendants as Kama'ina of Kauai.

1:52

To our Alii.

1:53

Even if many of us do not have the Koko of our Ali, as Hawaiians and as Kanaka, we are rooted and connected to our ancestors by how they've ingrained the teachings into our kupuna.

2:10

And so I share this with all of you with hope that it can resonate in your nao.

2:16

How kawali was as a leader for the island of Kawaii.

3:03

Oh Kamainu Allah.

3:12

So as I come to Noho Maha.

3:19

As I come to Noho and share my Mu'olelo, it is with great love and aloha that I greet all of you, Addison, Bernard, Arel, Ariel, and Fern.

3:33

Mahalo for your guidance and your stewardship and for all that you're going to dedicate and have already dedicated to the island of Kauai and its people.

3:45

It is such a kuliana, such a responsibility to allow yourself to be stewards of our aina and stewards of the people.

3:54

We all know the people are the most important, but I just want to mahalo you for your time, for your love and your dedication.

4:02

As we come together today in this sacred space, I would like to invite all of us to take a moment to center ourselves in the spirit of aloha.

4:14

A word that embodies love, compassion, and kindness.

4:18

Aloha is not just a greeting.

4:32

Aloha means love.

4:40

And your face tells so much of a mu'la story.

4:45

And the ha is your breath.

4:47

So in some times when we work with each other, we want to be face to face as we share breath and as we share aloha.

4:55

And as we do that, we want to have every embody everything that aloha represents.

5:01

So I pray that as we move forward today, that we not just think of aloha as a word, but as what it what it is to live aloha.

5:11

It's to be kind.

5:12

It's to have compassion.

5:14

It's to have great understanding, to persevere, to not want to just look at the doubts and the things that may inhabit us from being able to be the greatest that we can be, but to really come together as a community and allow your differences to speak out.

5:32

I pray that Keakwa will guide you with that, because that's why you are here to not just be one sided, but to share your thoughts, your opinions, and the things that resonate in your nao.

5:45

All of our upbringings lead us to where we are today.

5:49

And may your kupuna touch you in your na' so that you can be able to express, not just for the majority, but for everyone, because everyone's voice and everyone's heart is here with an intention to bring forth their ideas and their intentions.

6:08

So I pray that Keakua will guide you with that.

6:12

Today, as we sit in console, let us draw in the inspiration from the rich tapestry of Hawaiian history as Kanaka.

6:22

Our ancestors have bestowed upon us the wisdom that teaches us the importance of Malama, caring for one another, our land, our future generations, inbracing these values, we honor our past while paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.

6:43

None of us here want to sit in a space of misery.

6:49

We all seek that there is hope and that there is light at the end of every tunnel.

6:55

Our kupuna has taught us to be the kukui, to be the light, to be that oil that paves the way for others.

7:03

In the days of old, when we think about that kukui in the days of journey, when kanaka would journey, that kukui needed to be lit on the vessels that would take us on every path that our Hawaiians would go to to venture off.

7:17

So be the protector of the light.

7:20

Be the protector of the purest waters of Kawaii.

7:23

Allow those waters to feed the people of Kawaii for the nourishment.

7:28

That's how our kupuna taught us to malama.

7:31

When we hear the word malama, we hear it as just to take care.

7:35

But to malama is to really embody the very essence of the thought process of our kupuna.

7:42

It's not just a word we put on a wall and allow people to think that this is our idea.

7:47

To malama, it takes a lot of action.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Health████████████████████████████████32%
Healthcare Staffing█████████████████17%
Procedural███████████████15%
Personnel Matters█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Pending Litigation████████8%
Historic Preservation██████6%
Affordable Housing██2%
Technology and Innovation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Kauai County Council Meeting – February 12, 2025

The Kauai County Council convened on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 8:30 AM in the Council Chambers, Historic County Building, Lihue. Chair Pro Tem presided with five members present (Bolosan, Kawallio, Cowden, Holland, Kanashiro); Council Chair Reposal and Councilmember Koli were absent. The meeting included a consent calendar, communications, a committee report, a resolution on nurse staffing, and executive sessions.

Consent Calendar

  • C 2025-45: A communication from Councilmembers Holland and Carvalho transmitting a resolution urging the Hawaii State Legislature to implement safe nurse-to-patient staffing requirements for hospitals (Resolution No. 2025-18). Received by consent.

Communications (All Approved)

  • C 2025-46: Communication from the Prosecuting Attorney requesting approval to receive and expend $50,000 in State Opioid Response Grant funds from the Department of Health for prevention programs. Approved unanimously.
  • C 2025-47: Communication from the Housing Director requesting approval of an indemnification provision in an agreement with Spectrum Oceanic, LLC for the Lima Ola Permanently Supportive Housing Project, allowing Spectrum to install cable and fiber wiring. Public testimony raised questions about vendor lock‑in; Council clarified the contract is for five years. Approved unanimously.
  • C 2025-48: Communication from the Deputy Director of Planning requesting approval of an indemnification provision in a Trimble SketchUp software subscription to enable 3D building modeling for form‑based codes. Approved unanimously.
  • C 2025-49: Communication from the Boards and Commissions Administrator requesting approval of an indemnification provision in a Kauai Community College Facilities Use Agreement for a free screening of the documentary “Rise of the Wahine” on March 8, 2025. One testifier expressed concern about not having seen the film; Councilmembers Cowden and Holland spoke in support of the film and the value of public discourse. Approved unanimously.
  • C 2025-50: Claim filed by Hawaiian Insurance and Guaranty Company for property damage reimbursement. Referred to the County Attorney for disposition and report back.

Committee Report

  • CR-PSHS 2025-02: Received a briefing from the Public Safety & Human Services Committee regarding emergency sheltering abilities and capacities on Kauai, including roles of the American Red Cross. Received for the record.

Public Comments & Testimony

On Resolution 2025-18 (Safe Nurse-to-Patient Staffing):

  • Amy Thomas (Chief Nurse & Director of Clinical Education, Hawaii Pacific Health – Wilcox Medical Center) stated the hospital’s written testimony is in opposition to the resolution, citing flexibility concerns and the need for unit‑based staffing councils. She offered to answer questions.
  • Remy Catania (Kauai resident) spoke in full support of the resolution, emphasizing the physical demands of nursing and sharing stories of nurse injuries.
  • Michelle Gonzales (RN, 30 years at Wilcox) described caring for six generations of her family at Wilcox and pleaded for safe staffing ratios, stating “safe staffing saves lives.”
  • Rosalie Agashou (President, Hawaii Nurses Association) spoke in full support, referenced the Kapiolani lockout, and urged the council to listen to nurses.
  • Aaron Roman (RN, Wilcox) expressed support, recounting moral injury from overwhelming workloads.
  • Catherine Piano (ER nurse, Wilcox) supported the resolution, explaining that Kauai patients are not less sick than on Oahu and that a 1:6 ratio forces nurses to cover 12 patients during breaks.
  • Julie Kohi (RN, 19 years, 7 at Wilcox) supported the resolution, describing the broad scope of Med‑Surg and the lack of step‑down units.
  • Sonia Balian Grande (RN, 16 years, Wilcox) supported the resolution, noting that nurses are pulled from their specialties to cover Med‑Surg to maintain 1:6.
  • Lorraine Tamanaha (RN, Perioperative Services) supported the resolution, describing unsafe conditions in the PACU when ICU patients are held.
  • Janet Makadang Dang (RN, Med‑Surg since 1999) supported the resolution, recounting patient wait times and verbal abuse due to understaffing.
  • Belle Heredia (RN, 31 years) supported the resolution, citing studies showing higher mortality with higher ratios and disparities in health grades.
  • Alexis Aquaman (RN, Med‑Surg) supported the resolution, stating the community deserves safe staffing.
  • Tommy Pasarella (community member) supported the resolution, calling for better pay and work environments for nurses.
  • Jen Chahanovich (Wilcox leadership) spoke in opposition to the resolution, emphasizing the need for flexibility at a rural hospital, stating that the hospital follows national standards and is committed to negotiating with the union.
  • Natalie Ariola (community member) supported the resolution, stating that national standards are 1:4 and noting that 1:6 creates unsafe conditions.
  • Jesse Dettal (RN, ER) supported the resolution, rejecting management’s “flexibility” argument and calling it gaslighting.
  • Julie Hayward (Kauai Indivisible) supported the resolution, arguing corporate profits should not dictate rural healthcare.
  • Leah Kana (RN, 27 years at Wilcox) supported the resolution, describing high turnover and nurses going home crying.
  • Lonnie Sycos (community member) supported the resolution, noting parallels with his mother’s care facility and emphasizing the need for living wages.
  • Quinn Rockwell (RN, 16 years) supported the resolution, stating patient acuity has increased post‑COVID.
  • Greg Schumacher (ICU RN, 25+ years) supported the resolution, citing the 2018 floods as an example of nurse flexibility and arguing that safe ratios would add staff for emergencies.
  • Jonathan Lieblowitz (Chief Negotiator, HNA) supported the resolution, refuting the false dichotomy between ratios and staffing councils, and citing a state literature review showing benefits in patient outcomes, nurse outcomes, and hospital costs.
  • Margie Merriman (Kauai Indivisible) supported the resolution.
  • Carlos (community member) supported the resolution, expressing frustration with hospital management.
  • Additional second‑round testimony from nurses reinforced previous points about flexibility, staffing councils, and the need for a minimum 1:5 ratio.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 2025-18 – Urging the Hawaii State Legislature to Implement Safe Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Requirements for Hospitals: Councilmember Holland, a co‑sponsor, introduced the resolution. Councilmember Cowden read the resolving clauses, which urge support for HB 1244 and SB 424. Councilmembers Bolosan, Cowden, Holland, and Kanashiro spoke in favor, acknowledging the bravery of nurses and the need for safe staffing. Councilmember Bolosan expressed discomfort as a former small business owner but ultimately supported the resolution. Chair Pro Tem noted the resolution is non‑binding and that state bills have stalled, urging both sides to continue collective bargaining. A roll‑call vote passed 5‑0.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 2025-18 adopted (5-0), urging the State Legislature to implement safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and to support HB 1244 and SB 424.
  • All communications items approved as described above.
  • Claim C2025-50 referred to County Attorney.
  • Committee report received.
  • Executive sessions ES-1141 and ES-1142 were held regarding two pending lawsuits; no public disclosure required.
  • Meeting adjourned after executive session.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good morning. Um first up we have Kumu Troy Lazaro with our words of wisdom. Aloha. Aloha. Before I begin, I just would like to just say mahaloe for inviting me here to share my aloha with all of you. And I offer this time together to just bring a sense of peace and aloha. And to do so, I would like to share an Oli before I offer my kule. And this oli represents the West End of Kauai where I grew up. And it honors the last ruling Alii of Kauai, Kaw Mwalii, who was so distinguished and so such an incredible leader. He was loved by the Lehu Lehu. He was loved by the people. The people worked very hard for him. And the stewardship that was given to the Kamaina of Kauai was taken very seriously. He was a man of peace and aloha, as we all know. When Kamehameha Nui journeyed to Kauai to conquer Kawaii by force, he was stopped three times. First by storms. Second, he was stopped by illnesses that reeked over Hawaii. So he decided to send over a messenger to Kawaii to fetch Kalmualii to have a peaceful conversation. And so this Oli, I hope, can revoke the beautiful essence and the energy of our kupuna. Because we are descendants as Kama'ina of Kauai. To our Alii. Even if many of us do not have the Koko of our Ali, as Hawaiians and as Kanaka, we are rooted and connected to our ancestors by how they've ingrained the teachings into our kupuna. And so I share this with all of you with hope that it can resonate in your nao. How kawali was as a leader for the island of Kawaii. Oh Kamainu Allah. So as I come to Noho Maha. As I come to Noho and share my Mu'olelo, it is with great love and aloha that I greet all of you, Addison, Bernard, Arel, Ariel, and Fern. Mahalo for your guidance and your stewardship and for all that you're going to dedicate and have already dedicated to the island of Kauai and its people. It is such a kuliana, such a responsibility to allow yourself to be stewards of our aina and stewards of the people. We all know the people are the most important, but I just want to mahalo you for your time, for your love and your dedication. As we come together today in this sacred space, I would like to invite all of us to take a moment to center ourselves in the spirit of aloha. A word that embodies love, compassion, and kindness. Aloha is not just a greeting. Aloha means love. And your face tells so much of a mu'la story. And the ha is your breath. So in some times when we work with each other, we want to be face to face as we share breath and as we share aloha. And as we do that, we want to have every embody everything that aloha represents. So I pray that as we move forward today, that we not just think of aloha as a word, but as what it what it is to live aloha. It's to be kind. It's to have compassion. It's to have great understanding, to persevere, to not want to just look at the doubts and the things that may inhabit us from being able to be the greatest that we can be, but to really come together as a community and allow your differences to speak out. I pray that Keakwa will guide you with that, because that's why you are here to not just be one sided, but to share your thoughts, your opinions, and the things that resonate in your nao. All of our upbringings lead us to where we are today. And may your kupuna touch you in your na' so that you can be able to express, not just for the majority, but for everyone, because everyone's voice and everyone's heart is here with an intention to bring forth their ideas and their intentions. So I pray that Keakua will guide you with that. Today, as we sit in console, let us draw in the inspiration from the rich tapestry of Hawaiian history as Kanaka. Our ancestors have bestowed upon us the wisdom that teaches us the importance of Malama, caring for one another, our land, our future generations, inbracing these values, we honor our past while paving the way for a brighter tomorrow. None of us here want to sit in a space of misery. We all seek that there is hope and that there is light at the end of every tunnel.

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